In a previous post, I talked about my 3-day trip to England, an adventure which I thoroughly enjoyed. Since I was able to visit London, I’m putting together a guide for those who’ll take a 3-day visit in the lovely city.
Here’s what you can do:
Day 1 – See the Sights
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The first day can be reserved for London’s famous landmarks. You can begin by visiting Westminster. You can book tickets online beforehand for a Houses of Parliament tour inside. If not, you can take photos of the building’s fine medieval architecture from the outside instead. It’s also easy to get to Big Ben as it’s near to Westminster Bridge.
Afterwards, head to the neighboring Westminster Abbey. The place itself is full of history, as it served as the coronation venue and burial of many royals. You can even find the Poets’ Corner, which houses the memorial statues as well as remains of many famous poets and writers.
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Buckingham Palace, the Queen’s administrative headquarters and official residence, can be your next destination. If the flag is up, that means the Queen is in! If you’re lucky enough, you may even catch the Changing of the Guard ceremony. The schedule varies every week so it’s best to check the British Army’s website.
Lastly, you can take a trip to the South Bank of the River Thames to reach the iconic London Eye. A ride lasts for about 30 minutes and provides exhilarating views.
Day 2 – Appreciate the Arts
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For the second day, you might want to dedicate your time exploring London’s museums and galleries. The best place to start is the British Museum, which is one of the oldest museums in the world. The entrance is free but you can easily get lost in the vast area of rooms and exhibits. To help you plan your tour, Timeout listed some of the must-see objects in the museum.
Next, head over to the National Gallery. It houses some of the greatest paintings in the world, including pieces from Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo and Raphael.
And if you’re interested in Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes, be sure to visit the Sherlock Holmes Museum. It’s located on 221B Baker Street, the actual address of Sherlock Holmes’s residence in the books.
But even if you’re not a die-hard fan of the novels, you’re going to find the exhibits fascinating. After all, the famous detective has long been a staple of pop culture, who got a boost in popularity in recent years because of the Sherlock Holmes films that starred Robert Downey Jr., as well as the BBC series Sherlock. The former even became the theme for the Slingo slots game Sherlock Holmes: The Hunt for Blackwood, in reference to the main antagonist of the 2009 movie. The character’s impact is so strong that even non-crime related programs cited it as an influence. For instance, Dr. House of the show House M.D. was patterned after Holmes. Going to the museum lets you learn more about the original source and inspiration behind all the 21st century creations related to the fictional detective.
Day 3 – Go on a British food trip
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You may have been pressed for time to find the best eating spots during the previous two days, so your third can be dedicated solely to British food. There are tons of amazing restaurants to try out in the UK’s capital. My suggestion is to scour the streets of London for restaurants that offer unique takes on British dishes. If you want to take your Full English Breakfast up a notch, visit the Hawksmoor Guildhall. The restaurant takes the classic British staple to the next level by adding a short rib bubble & squeak, smoked bacon chop, and grilled bone marrow! You definitely have to prepare your stomach for this.
For lunch, if you have not yet tried Pie and Mash, which is a classic British comfort food, you should definitely visit M. Manze. Established in 1902, the locals consider it a legend. They serve freshly baked pies with good quality beef and generous servings of mashed potatoes all day. if you’re feeling adventurous, you can even try out their stewed or jellied eels!
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Of course, don’t forget to have afternoon tea, which is an ultimate British tradition. Tea is usually served with finger sandwiches, scones, and other pastries. But if you want a different experience, drop by Sketch. With pink interiors straight out of a Wes Anderson film and pretty food presentations, everything at Sketch is a feast for the eyes. It makes for a great photo for your Instagram too!
I hope this guide will help you make the best out of your trip to London. If you have any other suggestions, please let me know!
